IT must be noted that this border controversy goes back to over 150 years ago. After prolonged diplomatic exchanges between the Governments of Venezuela and Britain between the years 1880 to 1895, the border dispute concerning the western boundary of Guyana and Venezuela could not be resolved. As a result, the Venezuela government found itself in great diplomatic bitterness and frustration until this day. The Venezuelan authorities – in those days barely out of their battle for independence – protested against Schomburgk’s line of demarcation, only to be told by Britain that it was a temporary situation. Following upon this, Schomburgk prepared a map of Guyana showing the boundary between the two countries. Such was the early history of the border dispute.
The map by Schomburgk, dated 1874, clearly indicated the area belonging to Guyana on its western border. The Venezuelans have since then been very dissatisfied with the territory allotted to them.
But disputes between nations with respect to their borders are known to exist for generations on end and are not easily resolved, as no true patriot, lover of nation, people and country would cede away territory that appears to be justly owned by the country. Consequently, this territorial claim by Venezuela on Guyanese territory is resisted by Guyana.
There are immediate plans for development and exploitation of natural resources and minerals by Guyana in the disputed area, so this problem of immense importance to both nations remains unresolved, waiting for their leaders to reach a final, binding agreement. After the signing of the Port-of-Spain Protocol in June 1970, the controversy became a dormant issue with both the Governments of Venezuela and Guyana, and a period of goodwill followed. No sustained efforts were made nor were any active steps taken by either government to seek solution to the problem at that time.
No foreign government has openly offered to mediate and bring about a comprehensive and intelligent settlement between the two nations, save Prime Minister Seaga of Jamaica, as reported in the media. Because of this controversy, there are many issues of an international nature in which Guyana, as an independent State, has been adversely affected. It was Ankoko yesterday, what will it be tomorrow if Venezuela is allowed to violate international agreements as she pleases and flout the United Nations with whose Secretary -General the Geneva Agreement is deposited?